Saturday, February 2, 2013

Meet A Prospect : Russ Canzler

Edit: Yes I know that Russ was designated for assignment yesterday so that is why I went ahead and posted this today since he is still technically a part of the Yankees organization for a day or two. Enjoy, meet him, and then say goodbye.

Russell Michael Canzler was born on April 11th, 1986 in Berwick, PA where he went to High School at Hazelton High School in Hazelton, PA. Coming in at 6'2" and 220 lbs Russ made an immediate impression with his coaches while on the Hazelton High baseball team. He made enough of an impression on the Major League scouts as well because the Chicago Cubs drafted him straight out of High School in the 30th round in the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Russ would stay in the Chicago Cubs minor league system from the 2004 season all the way up to the 2010 season before leaving for the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency before the 2011 season. He was named International League MVP in 2011 for the Rays after hitting .314/.401/.530 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games played. Canzler was called up to the majors on a day he, or anybody else, will ever forget on September 11th, 2001. Russ would stay with the Rays until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians before the 2012 season for cash considerations. He would spend the 2012 season in the Indians minor league system before being designated for assignment to make room for the recently acquired Mark Reynolds. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers only to put Russ back on waivers a mere twelve days later. The Indians would reacquire Canzler from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers only to designate him for assignment again to make room for newly acquired Nick Swisher. This time the Yankees scooped him up off waivers a day later and will give him an opportunity to make the team out of Spring Training this year.